A New Franchise for California
The Professional Women's Hockey League announced that San Jose will host its inaugural franchise, marking the league's first foray into the state and expanding its roster to 12 teams.
The club will begin competition in the 2026‑27 season at the SAP Center, the same arena that houses the NHL's San Jose Sharks, offering a ready‑made infrastructure and a built‑in fan base.
Its arrival adds to a vibrant Bay Area women's sports scene that already includes Bay FC of the National Women's Soccer League and the Golden State Valkyries of the Women's National Basketball Association.
Colors, Merchandise and Early Fan Interest
Team branding will feature orange, blue and white, a palette that has already generated nearly 2,000 season‑ticket requests, indicating strong market enthusiasm.
Private Investment and League Growth
The franchise is privately financed by Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his wife Kimbra, a financial backing that the PWHL says could serve as a model for future expansions.
Talent Pipeline and Broadcast Outlook
The league's prospect pool includes five collegiate players who captured Olympic gold for the United States, while negotiations with Scripps Sports position the PWHL to secure a national broadcast partner.
With the new team poised to debut, the league anticipates that the combination of local talent, strategic venue placement and media exposure will drive sustained growth.